<p>Assist with teaching horseback riding lessons, guiding trail rides on horseback, leading agriculture education field trips, coordinating and organizing special events, and other programs as determined by the Program and Animal Coordinator.</p> <p>TitleAgVenture Camp CounselorDepartmentLockwood ParkStatusSeasonal: June - AugustWork LocationLockwood ParkReports ToProgram SupervisorWage$15/HourPosition DescriptionLead, guide, and supervise campers aged 5 to 16 during a day camp program that involves interactions with horses and farm animals, horseback riding, agriculture-themed activities, crafting, hiking, games, tie-dyeing, water-based activities, end-of-week showcase, alongside other camp activities.</p> <p>ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUESAgency VisionTo be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve.Agency MissionThe Rockford Park District is in business to "help people enjoy life" by providing a quality park and recreation system.Vision & Planning SystemThe District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals.Policy Management & Operations SystemEvery team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team's operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team's operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks.Leadership by Values SystemLeadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging StatementThe Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds.</p> <p>RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTUREDefinitionSustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success.</p> <p>ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENTDefinitionTo work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District.ConnectednessDepartments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District.</p> <p>ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned</p> <p>Operational Excellence</p> <ul> <li> <p>Assist Leads and assists with summer camp programs.</p> </li><li> <p>Assists participants in all activities, including those with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities, utilizing the integration of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) staff when needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Is ready to play with all participants every day.</p> </li><li> <p>Leads and assists, with Program Coordinator and Camp Leader, daily summer camp operations such as: attendance, daily logs, and opening and closing site/cleaning checklists.</p> </li><li> <p>Willing to adjust work schedule to accommodate changing priorities.</p> </li><li> <p>Responsive to the needs of the department by accepting additional responsibility or assisting others.</p> </li><li> <p>Assists with daily custodial duties.</p> </li><li> <p>Imagines and facilitates creative activities and games, including for indoor rainy days.</p> </li><li> <p>Takes initiative to be aware of personal care and physical needs of participants and reports to Camp Leader or Program Coordinator.</p> </li><li> <p>Sets the tone for positive behavior and discipline using positive reinforcement for a safe zone/ environment for all participants following RPD code of conduct.</p> </li><li> <p>Reports participant participation, success, and behavior concerns in a timely manner.</p> </li><li> <p>Responsible for communicating with parents as deemed appropriate by the Program Supervisor.</p> </li><li> <p>May assist with teaching camp horseback riding lessons as determined by the Program Supervisor.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrates and teaches participants techniques for handling horses and ponies.</p> </li><li> <p>Informs Program Coordinator of supplies needed and preserves and cares for equipment of the RPD.</p> </li><li> <p>Attends scheduled staff meetings and training sessions as determined by the Program Supervisor</p> </li><li> <p>Assists in the supervision and coaching of H.A.L.T.E.R.S. volunteers.</p> </li><li> <p>Assesses and informs Program and Animal Coordinator of site safety concerns such as: park users, equipment, hazards, etc.</p> </li></ul> <p>Safety/Compliance</p> <ul> <li> <p>Assesses site safety and informs Program Supervisor of concerns such as: park users, equipment, hazards, etc.</p> </li><li> <p>Ensures that all work performed is conducted in a safe and timely manner adhering to standards of safety and effective equipment utilization.</p> </li><li> <p>Maintains working knowledge of departmental safety procedures. Attends safety-training programs and in-service as required for continued development.</p> </li><li> <p>Provides a safe, clean and environmentally conscious environment for all participants.</p> </li><li> <p>Effectively and safely operates Park District equipment, including Gators, as determined by the Program Supervisor.</p> </li><li> <p>Ensures daily forms and checklists are filled out correctly and on time, including but not limited to accident reports</p> </li></ul> <p>mined by the Program Supervisor</p> <p>Customer Service</p> <ul> <li> <p>Ensures a superior customer experience in all interactions through outstanding service capabilities, knowledge, flexibility, and thoroughness.</p> </li><li> <p>Represents the Park District in a friendly and positive manner while communicating effectively with program participants, parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and all other park visitors.</p> </li><li> <p>Helps enforce program policy and procedures using positive communication with program participants, parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers.</p> </li><li> <p>Is cheerful, positive, a team player, and ready to interact with all participants every day.</p> </li><li> <p>Gives feedback on program concerns and positive experiences</p> </li></ul> <p>Education/Experience</p> <p>Experience working with or around horses preferred</p> <p>Critical Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities</p> <p>To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:</p> <ul> <li>Must be a minimum of 16 years old </li><li>Ability and flexibility to work in a varied schedule, including time frame of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm </li><li>Must have a desire to work with children in outdoor settings. </li><li>Must have a desire to teach children about agriculture, farm animals, horses, and nature. </li><li>Experience or interest in interaction with youth or teens with and without disabilities in a recreation setting required. </li><li>Ability to provide customers with expert care, sensitive consideration, and efficient service. </li><li>Good communication skills including expressive, written, and receptive. </li><li>Ability to follow direction from supervisors, demonstrating flexibility as a team player. </li><li>Ability to problem solve in a variety of situations. </li><li>May be required to have First Aid, CPR, and AED training (can be obtained through the Rockford Park District) </li><li>Reliable transportation is required. </li><li>Must adhere to the Lockwood Park dress code </li></ul> <p>Physical Requirements</p> <p>The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:</p> <p>Medium work:</p> <ul> <li> <p></p> </li><li>Exerting in excess of 50 pounds of force rarely. <p></p> </li><li> <p>Exerting in excess of 20 pounds of force occasionally.</p> </li><li> <p>Exerting in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.</p> </li><li> <p>Must be able to perform moderately physically intensive tasks, potentially including any combination of the following: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, repetitive motions, substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.</p> </li><li> <p>This is a physically active position that involves stamina.</p> </li></ul> <p>Work Environment</p> <p>The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:</p> <ul> <li>Dirt is common during cleaning part of job tasks continually </li><li>Noise while working on or near tractors while completing checklists/job tasks daily </li><li>Temperature extremes may be encountered during routine job duties. </li><li>Working with chemicals occasionally while cleaning. </li><li>Work pace/pressure large crowds during events. </li><li>May be exposed to hazardous vegetation (i.e., poison ivy) and insect bites while outdoors. </li><li>May be exposed to extreme weather conditions during camp season, particularly rain and heat. </li></ul>